Cabin sole

[Dmarina]

What is the BEST varnish for a new cabin sole and should a non skid be added. Thanks for any info. Diane

[bwindrope]

Diane, there are many posts on this if you search the archives. People use a spar urethane, of various brands (much disputed) and generally no one puts non-skid inside the boat, though bath mats and other things are often laid down for warmth, grip and comfort. Non-skid would make bare feet impossible.

Search the archives for good stories and discussions.

[knotted]

Beware! Varnish = slippery when wet... and not enjoyably so

Unfinished teak = comfortably non-skid with no work...

yer pays yer money and makes yer choice!

[Faster]

Unfortunately it's been discontinued, but if you can find some old stock of 'Ultimate Sole' that's the way to go. It's a nice glossy varnish that does NOT get slippery when wet.

A great product and it's loss is a big one.

[knotted]

Thanks for tickling the ole grey cells, Faster! there's also a product called 'No Skidding', which is a coating created for ceramic tile, concrete, enamel, etc, but which would likely work on varnish type finishes... Worth asking the manufacturer their opinion! just might work if you insist on a varnished sole!

[svHyLyte]

We used a Minwax hardwood floor finish in a semi-gloss finish and it has proven good looking and resilient for several years. Some friends of our redid their sole with a product used on basket-ball court floors that the obtained from an industrial supply company and they are very pleased with that. In our case, we have found that, even wet, the flooring/sole does not become particulatly slippery but then we have apretty dry yacht; and, when sailing in foul weather we're usually wearing pretty good (grippy) deck shoes or sea boots.

FWIW...

[mitiempo]

Non-skid can be effectively used on the cabin sole. The 2 pics below show a solid teak sole with non-skid of walnut shells in varnish. After the sole is varnished, tape around areas you want to be non-skid, varnish and shake ground walnut shells on the surface. After the varnish dries, vacuum excess off, and varnish over. The pics are of a Sundeer. Ground walnut shells used to be available at West Marine but I don't know if they still are.

[Dmarina]

Thanks very much to all for your input. I did check into "Search", but all reference was for refinishing not for new teak sole. Thanks again.